Conrad Stoltz claimed victory at the inaugural Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails  which finished at Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch) on Friday, 29 November 2013. Photo: Jetline Action Photo

Intro:

Its the middle of “Ice Cream and Beer Season”. (late November) But I  love riding single track. I also love racing. Solo. (Unless its with Princess Hotstuff) I’m in Stellenbosch. I’m also passionate about building and promoting trails. Everyone likes charity. Giving for the greater good.

Enter Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails.   An individual two day mountain bike stage race, starting in the heart of Stellenbosch. LOTS of single track. A real mountain bikers’ race. Not hours of dusty, washboard-y dirt roads like many other races.

Despite sitting on the beach in Hawaii for a few weeks prior, I still had some form buried deep inside and put the hammer down once we hit the first downhill. From there on it was a combination of a steady effort, staying on top of carbs (Clif Shot gels), electrolytes and water, being smooth through the single track and letting the Brain suspension and big 2.2 FastTrak tyres eat up the rocks and ruts. 70km of technical riding in intense heat is a long way, and much can go wrong.

I won Day 1 by 15minutes. I didnt stop at any of the aid stations, but when I started cramping with 30min to go, I stopped for fresh mountain stream water in Jonkershoek. Day 1 was really tough, and riders came across the line in drips and drabs. I remember a qoute from a friend: “Jissie manne, sê vir my dit was vir julle ook blerrie taai?!” (Jeez guys, please tell me you also found it really tough?!)

Fatigue, cramps and bloody limbs were soothed with locally brewed beer, Bartinney wine and tables groaning with the weight of great food. After being away for 7 months, its was great to see all the Stellenbosch locals racing, and many a laugh and groan was shared.

Day 2 (65km) wound through the vineyards and hills of Bottelary Hills, finishing with the renowned G Spot whoops and berms in Stellenbosch. After a particularly fine piece of single track next to the lower Eerste Rivier, I commented favourably on the trail to what looked like a farmer standing on a bridge. To my surprise he yelled with gusto: “Dis myne!” (It is mine!) – claiming “his” single track section. People like him who welcome mountainbiking on wine farms is driving a movement which is rapidly gaining momentum here in the Western Cape.

My lack of fitness caught up to me and it took me half the stage and a serious downhill to get rid of Stuart Marais and Matthew Beers.

Money got raised for various charities: Trail building, schools  and charitable MTB programmes, Wildfire services, Conservancies …

A letter poached from POOT Facebook:

[Another BIG Thank You to all our riders who helped us raise over R200 000 which has been handed over to the following initiatives:

• Stellenbosch MTB Trail initiative – R 64 970 (R 34 970 rider donation plus R10000 each from Pennypinchers, Specialized and Stillwater Sport & Entertainment)
• Banhoek Conservancy – R 13 450
• Songo.info – R 5 380
• Paul Roos MTB – R5 380
• Bottelary Hills Bewarea Trails – R 18 960
• Volunteer Wildfire Services – R5380
• Event Trail building / maintenance / bridge building throughout the year by Corrie and Bennet – R 90 000

We look forward to even greater things in 2014!]

Qouted from NewsportMedia:

STOLTZ SMASHES PENNYPINCHERS ORIGIN OF TRAILS STAGE ONE ROUTE

Conrad Stoltz was in a league of his own on Friday, 29 November 2013 claiming a Stage One victory at the inaugural Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails 70km (long route) in a finishing time of 03hours31minutes11seconds.

“Now that was a mountain biker’s course,” said a happy Stoltz. “Today was phenomenal, starting in the centre of Stellenbosch, my home town. It was awesome to be able to race on some of the best single track in the country. We had access to private property and valleys that I’ve never even seen before.  Despite the tough and technical course, I made time to enjoy the scenery whenever I could”.]

Start in Church street- the heart of Stellenbosch. Wine country, and quickly establishing itself as premiere MTB destination.

Single track with a view all day for 2 days…

Princess Hotstuff telling me to move my butt somewhere on Day 2. I remove the top of my empty water bottle so I can quickly refill at the next aid station. (or mountain stream)

RESULTS:  Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails

STAGE ONE:  Friday, 29 November 2013

70km / Long Route:  Men

OVERALL RESULTS:  Stage One & Two combined

Long Route

Men

1st Prize. Getting paid in wine. Saving the Bartinney Sauvignon Blanc for a special day…

The Professors helped ease the pain.

And beer of course.

It was great to have my sponsors Specialized and  Squirt lube supporting the race. The only “best” chain lube in the world was found in your race bag, which made for quiet (and longer lasting) drive trains – despite all the river crossings and dust.

Also loved the twin bottle cages and SWAT tool box on my Specialized Sworks Epic World Cup.

The Songo.info lads ready to rumble. The vision of Christophe Sauser. Bringing cycling (at first BMX, now MTB ) to township kids in Kayamandi.

Here is a behind the scenes look at the “dry run”- to make sure the course “works” and to see if the safety motos could go everywhere on the single track on race day.

Said scenery. Stage 1.  Simonsberg in the background. Also Theo Blignaut, Hendrico Burger, Spook Groenewald, Corrie Muller and the real legends- the moto crew.

When we rode through Bartinney winery (one of the sponsors) we bumped into owner Rose Jordaan- busy building trail and chopping down non indigenous plants for the big event. Rose also raced the “long” event. Here trail builder Corrie Muller shows us where the climb starts…

and where the climb finishes… Corrie is the local dentist- who built parts of this trail while on sick leave with 2 broken wrists. One of the Boland’s characters.

We stopped for much needed Coke, pies and cookies at Kylemore Supermarket. Needed the strength for the 2nd half of the course:

If you want fun downhills, you need to get to the top.

Kelfords Ford Fiesta TDCi 1.6 Turbo Diesel Ambiente 5 door

Things I like:

– Turbo Diesel. Poweful, economic & clean(er).

– Voice activation, USB, iPod & Bluetooth for a handsfree office and entertainment centre.

– Capless fuel system and fool proof “diesel only” nozzle.

– Good looks and small, yet roomy- thanks to seat down hatch back and Thule bike racks.

– Fuel economy: This Fiesta has done 3.9L/100km to win its class in some economy run.But with 2x XL bikes (often) on the roof, and mixed city and highway driving, I get an avs of 5.7L/100km.

Since its not my car (thanks Tristan and the crew at Kelfords Ford in Somerset West) and its not made for off roading, we parked and enjoyed the magical West Coast on foot.

In the meantime, dreaming of something more Caveman like when I grow up…

As you all know, its easy to overindulge and pack on the pounds during the festive season, so Cross Training is a key ingredient to keeping the Caveman fit and flexable.

Gotta keep on top of skills training too.

Breakfast sure wasnt pretty. But its all part of the food chain…

Like I said, being the Caveman is hard work. More news coming real soon…